Making a Difference,

One at a Time

Friends Outside gave me insight into the character I've
been for so long. This is the start of a life long change in me.
Thank you.

- Inmate reflection on a Creative Conflict Resolution
Workshop

About Friends Outside

What We Believe

Most people, even those who are incarcerated, have
inherently good
values.
Our programs speak to those pro-social values and the
desire to “do the right thing.”
Cognitive-behavioral programs need to be
combined with caring, understanding,
healing and forgiveness. . .
Change is possible, but does not occur without hope. What we do represents that hope

Strengths-Based

We believe in a strengths-based approach for everything that we do.
Most individuals
possess the abilities and inner resources to cope effectively with
challenges in life. Our goal is to help individuals
achieve a sense of personal responsibility and productiveness. We want individuals to rediscover their abilities through
appropriate interventions and become self-directed toward
positive outcomes. People who have lost hope need others who
care to guide them out of despair.

Family-Centered

We also believe in the importance of family and surrogate family/friends,
who are the best allies in the creation of
positive change for men and women who are incarcerated.

We believe in the importance of contact and communication between
men and women who are incarcerated and their family and friends.
Research shows that maintaining and strengthening an inmate’s family
and community relationships helps reduce recidivism (the number
of former inmates returning to prison).

Frequent visits from
family members can help alleviate anxiety and stress which can
lead to anti-social behavior while in prison. At the same
time, studies have substantiated that maintaining a child-parent
relationship during a parent's incarceration has a positive
impact on a child's
emotional development, school adjustment, and behavior.